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enFranjic talks up City's title chancesIvan Franjic has high hopes about Melbourne City and their title chances this season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/franjic-talks-citys-title-chances
Fit-again defender Ivan Franjic said Melbourne City are ready to shed their inconsistent tag and show why he believes the club can win the A-League title.
City have endured a frustrating start to the season, with injuries and some sloppy performances contributing to just two wins from their opening seven matches.
Franjic had been forced to watch from the sidelines due to injury up until last Friday, when the Australia international came off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Brisbane Roar.
It put an end to an injury-plagued 2015 for the Socceroos right-back, who has managed just a handful of competitive matches for club and country.
Now back and eager to make up for lost time, Franjic believes the unpredictable City could finally be ready to reach their potential, starting with a clash against Perth Glory on Friday.
"Obviously we need to get some consistency behind our performances," he said on Tuesday.
"We have a lot of key players coming back [from injury] in the next few weeks. There will be competition for places and that's what brings out the best in every player.
"Injuries haven't helped at the start of this season just to get the consistency. In this competition you can't afford to have an off day or you will get punished.
"I have come back to this club because I believe we can win a championship here.
"My focus now is playing for Melbourne City and getting a run of games, really getting my body back to where it was a couple of years ago.
"I am probably four to six good weeks away….once you start playing you get your sharpness and match awareness back."news_articleTue, 24 Nov 2015 06:32:31 +0000Anonymous484334 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFranjic: Bring on Bangladesh, TajikistanIvan Franjic insists he will be "fit enough" for Australia's World Cup qualifiers in September despite a lack of game-time.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/franjic-bring-bangladesh-tajikistan
Despite having played only three competitive games this year, Ivan Franjic has declared he will be ready if Australia coach Ange Postecoglou calls on him for World Cup qualifiers in September.
Franjic, who has returned home to play for Melbourne City after a tough season in Russia, has only started pre-season training this month, with the 2015-16 A-League campaign first beginning on October 8.
Australia will face Bangladesh in Perth on September 3 and Tajikistan in Dushanbe five days later, but Franjic is not concerned by the dearth of competitive action between now and then.
"If I get chosen, I'll be fit enough to be playing," he told Omnisport.
Franjic completed 90 minutes for Australia in their 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan on June 16 - the first time he had done that since April 8 - as his country kick-started their bid to qualify for Russia 2018.
Due to a raft of injuries in 2014-15, the 27-year-old only played four league games for Torpedo Moscow last term.
Franjic could not ignore the opportunity for regular game-time when City came calling last month.
"That was one of the reasons [for] coming back, I could have stayed in Europe or come back but I wanted to sort my future out before I went into the World Cup qualifiers," the versatile full-back said.
"So [my goal this season is to play] as many games as possible and win a championship with Melbourne City and keep playing international [matches]."
Franjic broke his contract with Torpedo in April due to unpaid wages but has seemingly put that chapter behind him.
"It was difficult because I was injured 80 per cent of the time there, so the club wasn't happy that I was getting injured on international duty but that's football, it's part of the game, so I'm back now and looking forward to the season ahead," he said.
Franjic has played 19 matches for Australia and was a key part of Postecoglou's squad that won the Asian Cup in January.news_articleThu, 30 Jul 2015 04:52:58 +0000Anonymous425695 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFranjic targets more A-League glory with CityHaving lifted the A-League trophy three times with Brisbane Roar, Ivan Franjic reckons he can do it again with Melbourne City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/franjic-targets-more-league-glory-city
Melbourne City fans will have to wait to see Ivan Franjic make his debut but the Australia international reckons they can replace cross-town rivals Victory as A-League champions.
Franjic signed a three-year deal with City last month but the 27-year-old has only recently begun pre-season training with John van 't Schip's squad, and he does not expect to play for his new club for "a couple of weeks".
But with the versatile full-back joining the likes of fellow Socceroo Michael Zullo, Australia youth international Corey Gameiro and former Newcastle United defender Aaron Hughes in signing for City, Franjic is convinced the Melbourne-based club can win the title in 2015-16.
Last season, City reached the A-League semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Melbourne Victory 3-0 in a derby clash.
"Yeah, obviously we're looking strong, there's a couple more foreigners to come in but yeah, we'll be a good chance to win it [the A-League championship] and we're prepared to go all the way this year," Franjic told Omnisport on Wednesday.
Franjic has not played since Australia's 2-1 World Cup qualifying win away to Kyrgyzstan on June 16.
But having been given some extra time off following that international duty, the three-time A-League champion with Brisbane Roar does not expect to play in City's FFA Cup round of 32 tie away to Edgeworth on August 4.
"It'll be the coaches' decision. I'll be ready but it'll be up to them," he said.
Back living in his home town of Melbourne for the first time in six years, Franjic attended Hume City's 4-3 extra-time victory over Brisbane Strikers in the FFA Cup - his brother Joey plays for the victors, although he was not in action on Wednesday.
Franjic was clearly impressed by the entertainment on offer at ABD Stadium.
"I don't think I'll be playing the first game but it's an exciting tournament," he said.
"I watched it last year from Russia, so I can't wait and hopefully the boys win next week - which I believe they will - and see who we get in the next draw; hopefully Hume."news_articleThu, 30 Jul 2015 00:58:36 +0000Anonymous425581 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSocceroo Franjic signs for Melbourne CityAustralia international Ivan Franjic has returned home to join A-League side Melbourne City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/socceroo-franjic-signs-melbourne-city
Melbourne City have completed the signing of Socceroo full-back Ivan Franjic.
City announced on the deal on Thursday, with Melbourne-born Franjic penning a three-year contract.
The 27-year-old - capped 19 times by the Socceroos - was a free agent after quitting Russian Premier League club Torpedo Moscow over unpaid wages in April.
"Coming back home to Melbourne is very important. I will be playing first-team football which has been difficult over the last 12 months but now I can't wait," Franjic said.
"Melbourne City are an ambitious club and they want success. These are the clubs I want to be at, that want to go out and win titles and that was a major reason for me coming here."
Franjic returns to the A-League, where he won three championships with Brisbane Roar in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2013-14, before his tumultuous spell in Russia.
"Followers of the A-League and Socceroos know of Ivan's quality and ability, so to bring him in for next season is positive," said coach John van't Schip, whose City reached the semi-finals last season.
"When we became aware Ivan was available, we were keen to bring him in to strengthen our squad. We believe Ivan is a great fit for the club and has the ability and desire to help us build on last campaign."news_articleWed, 03 Jun 2015 22:41:21 +0000Anonymous398473 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAustralia's Franjic quits Torpedo Moscow over unpaid wagesAustralia's Ivan Franjic could return to the A-League after quitting Russian Premier League club Torpedo Moscow.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/australias-franjic-quits-torpedo-moscow-over-unpaid-wages
Australia defender Ivan Franjic has quit Torpedo Moscow over unpaid wages, paving the way for a return to the A-League.
The 27-year-old, who started every match as Australia won the Asian Cup in January, joined Torpedo in August 2014 has endured an unhappy, injury-interrupted spell in the Russian Premier League after leaving Brisbane Roar at the end of last season.
Professional Footballers Australia confirmed on Tuesday that Franjic has left Russia.
"The PFA can confirm that Ivan sought the advice of the PFA's lawyers. This followed the repeated failure of his club Torpedo Moscow to honour its contractual obligations to him," a PFA spokesperson told the Herald Sun.
"The PFA requested that the club remedy the situation, however this was not done and as a result Ivan terminated his contract for just cause, in accordance with FIFA regulations. Ivan is now a free agent and entitled to sign with the club of his choosing."
Having won three A-League championships with Brisbane, Franjic is expected to be hot property as Australian clubs begin to look to next season, with the competition's finals starting on Friday.
The versatile, energetic player, who is able to operate in midfield and at full-back, has only made three league starts for Torpedo in 2014-15.news_articleTue, 28 Apr 2015 01:56:34 +0000Anonymous381421 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFranjic cleared of serious injury ahead of finalThe chances of Ivan Franjic being available for the Asian Cup final on Saturday have improved, with scans clearing Australias right-back of any significant injury.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/franjic-cleared-serious-injury-ahead-final
Franjic is racing the clock to prove his fitness for the decider against South Korea after suffering what appeared to be a groin injury but was later confirmed to be a hip complaint late in the 2-0 semi-final win over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday night.
While the Torpedo Moscow man's availability remains in the balance, his hopes appear much stronger than they were on Wednesday when the team arrived in Sydney.
A source close to the Australian national team camp was optimistic about the ex-Brisbane Roar defender's chances of being passed fit to play, with the scans showing no serious damage.
Australia's medical staff will continue to work around the clock on Franjic, in the hope he will be as close as possible to 100 per cent come kick off on Saturday.
The big test will come on Friday afternoon when the team has their final training session at ANZ Stadium.
Coach Ange Postecoglou will want Franjic to complete that session without any issues to feel comfortable throwing him into arguably Australia's biggest-ever match on home soil.
The hosts' squad were given Thursday off training, with the entire squad, including Franjic, going on a team walk around the city to loosen up any stiff limbs from what's been a hectic campaign.
Franjic, who has played every minute of the five matches leading up to the final, would be a huge loss for the side, especially with back up right-back Chris Herd already out for the tournament with an Achilles problem.
Midfielder Mark Milligan and central defender Trent Sainsbury appear the two most likely candidates to fill in for Franjic if he proves to be unavailable.
news_articleThu, 29 Jan 2015 00:49:42 +0000Anonymous332963 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSainsbury ready to replace injured FranjicSocceroo Trent Sainsbury is confident team-mate Ivan Franjic will be fit for Saturdays Asian Cup final but is ready to fill-in at right-back if the Torpedo Moscow man is ruled out.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sainsbury-ready-replace-injured-franjic
Franjic suffered a hip injury late inAustralia’s 2-0 semi-final win over UAE on Tuesday butplayed out the matchdue to the fact Ange Postecoglou had already made his three substitutions.
The defender switched to the wing in the latter stages andSainsbury is ready to fill in at the back at the weekend ifFranjic is ruled out.
"I've played there a few times for [former clubCentral Coast]Mariners and once in pre-season for [PEC]Zwolle,"Sainsbury told reporters.
"It doesn'tbother me,I'll just have to adjust and do what the coaches tell me.You can put me in goal if you want to,I'm not fussed. I'll go out there and do the job I'm told."
Franjic is likely to learn the full extent of the injury on Thursday,with Postecoglou prepared to give the defender as much time as possible toprove his fitness.
The Australia boss wouldlikely look toSainsbury or Mark Milligan to slot in at right-back, with the formerhavingopened his international account in Tuesday's victory.
"To be honest I was trying to stay as calm as I could,"Sainsbury added.
"My first goal with the Mariners I got a little bit too excited and five minutes later I started cramping. I just remember trying to stay calm and focus on the game.
"It’s about time [I scored]. We've been working on [set-pieces] at training and I've been getting my head on a few but to get it in a game and in such an important match is a pretty good feeling."
news_articleWed, 28 Jan 2015 09:28:59 +0000Anonymous332532 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comNo rest required for Aussie full-back FranjicFull-back Ivan Franjic is ready to play six games in three weeks if Australia proceed all the way to the Asian Cup final.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/no-rest-required-aussie-full-back-franjic
Australia defender Ivan Franjic claims he will be able to last the distance if Australia go all the way to the Asian Cup final.
Having started the World Cup campaign before having his tournament ended through injury in the first match against Chile, Franjic has bounced back to play every minute of the first three games of the Asian Cup.
In the heat of an Australian summer, the Torpedo Moscow full-back has been a willing runner, powering up and down the right flank.
Utility player Chris Herd is back in England after succumbing to an Achilles injury, leaving Australia relying on Franjic to remain fit throughout the rest of the tournament, with only midfielder Mark Milligan and centre-back Trent Sainsbury potential replacements in his position.
The former Brisbane Roar man has assured fans he is up to the task, thanks to a mini pre-season last month.
"I'll be fine. Our season (in Russia) finished on December 8 so I went two-and-a-half weeks with a conditioning coach preparing for this (the Asian Cup)," Franjic told reporters on Tuesday.
"I knew I'd be playing a few games. So I'll be fine, I'll be ready and I just can't wait to go to the final.
"I feel good. My body's getting stronger and stronger every day and with the games my match fitness is getting better."
Franjic, a certain starter in the quarter-final against China at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, felt he could have done better in the build-up to South Korea's winner at the same venue last weekend.
"It was obviously disappointing," Franjic said of the decisive strike.
"It was a throw-in and we switched off for two seconds and we let our mans (sic) go.
"I'll take responsibility for that. Maybe I should've organised that better. But it's happened and we have to move on."
news_articleTue, 20 Jan 2015 07:01:41 +0000Anonymous327485 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBrisbane Roar confirm Franjic departureBrisbane Roar confirmed the departure of Ivan Franjic on Monday, with the Australia international defender expected to join Torpedo Moscow.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/brisbane-roar-confirm-franjic-departure
Rumours of Franjic's departure have persisted for several weeks with R-Sport revealing the 26-year-old's destination to be Torpedo in the Russian Premier League (RPL) last month.
While Torpedo was not named by Brisbane on Monday, the A-League champions confirmed he will not be playing in the Australian top tier in the 2014-15 season, ending Franjic's five-year stint with the Roar.
"Today's announcement is the result of four weeks of negotiation with Ivan's new club and we're satisfied with the final structure of the deal," Brisbane Roar managing director Sean Dobson said in a statement.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for him to continue his career development by playing in an overseas league."
After excelling in both midfield and defence for the Roar last season, Franjic started at right-back for Australia during the World Cup in Brazil, before a hamstring injury suffered in the opening game forced him to leave the tournament prematurely.
In the absence of Franjic, Jack Hingert is likely to start at right-back for Mike Mulvey's team as they seek to defend their title in the 2014-15 season.
Torpedo Moscow finished third in the second-tier Russian National Football League last season, which saw them return to the RPL for the first time since 2006.
news_articleMon, 04 Aug 2014 01:06:05 +0000Anonymous224144 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFranjic 'shattered' as his World Cup endsAustralia defender Ivan Franjic spoke of being shattered after his FIFA World Cup was ended early by a hamstring injury.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/franjic-shattered-his-world-cup-ends
Franjic hurt himself just after the interval in Australia's 3-1 Group B defeat to Chile on Friday, and subsequent scans found a tear in his right leg.
Early goals from Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia put the South Americans in control but Tim Cahill led a superb fightback, equalising before half-time and seeing another goal disallowed for offside.
However, Ange Postecoglou's men could not find a way through as Jean Beausejour's late effort clinched a crucial win for Chile.
Franjic's injury is a further blow to Postecoglou, who is likely to call on Ryan McGowan - a centre-back by trade - for the remainder of the tournament.
The Brisbane Roar man remains positive despite the setback though, and has backed his team-mates to impress in daunting fixtures against the Netherlands and Spain to come.
He posted on Instagram: "Shattered to get the bad news that ends my @fifaworldcup but I would not change anything for the world.
"Everything happens for a reason in life and this will only make me stronger.
"I will be standing by the boys all the way and still believe we can progress from the group stage."
news_articleSun, 15 Jun 2014 07:55:17 +0000Anonymous193237 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHamstring tear ends World Cup for FranjicAustralia defender Ivan Franjics FIFA World Cup is over with scans revealing the 26-year-old tore his hamstring versus Chile.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hamstring-tear-ends-world-cup-franjic
Franjic underwent scans on his right hamstring on Saturday and they confirmed he has torn the muscle, which will rule the right-back out of the rest of the tournament.
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou labelled the injury a 'massive disappointment' - both for Franjic but also for the team after the right-back's strong first half in Cuiaba.
"Ivan's no good, he had a scan today and has a fairly significant hamstring tear. That rules him out for the tournament, and that's a real disappointment," Postecoglou said on Saturday.
"He was growing into the tournament and into the game; the first 15 minutes everything was a bit quick for him but after that he settled into the task and set up the goal really well.
"He was getting to grips with it so it's a massive disappointment. I'll talk to him later but there's not a lot you can say. But what's tasted should be motivation to come back for more."
Franjic injured his hamstring in the opening minutes of the second half versus Chile on Friday when he leapt for a high ball.
The Brisbane Roar defender had created Australia's goal in the 3-1 loss to Chile, crossing for Tim Cahill to score.
Franjic was ably replaced by Ryan McGowan in the second half, who claimed he would be ready to step in against the Netherlands if selected.
McGowan is better known as a central defender and was ripped apart at right-back in Australia's 6-0 loss to Brazil in September but insisted he will be comfortable as a full-back.
"I played a lot of right-back when I was at Hearts, I don't feel out of place there at all," McGowan said.
While Postecoglou agreed McGowan may start in Australia's next match against the Netherlands, the 48-year-old coach also hinted he may try something different.
"Ryan is a solution, there could be a couple of different things in the way we approach things," Postecoglou said.
"Holland represents a different problem to Chile, so we'll have a look in the next couple of days."
news_articleSat, 14 Jun 2014 22:03:35 +0000Anonymous192981 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFranjic, McKay back Oz boss PostecoglouTwo of Australia coach Ange Postecoglous former club soldiers have backed their new national boss to succeed.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/franjic-mckay-back-oz-boss-postecoglou
Postecoglou named Brisbane Roar pair Matt McKay and Ivan Franjic in his first squad for their international friendly with Costa Rica in Sydney next Tuesday.
McKay and Franjic were both imperative parts of Postecoglou's success with the Roar, who won back-to-back A-League titles under his reign in 2011 and 2012.
Back with Brisbane after stints with Rangers, Busan l'Park and Changchun Yatai since winning the Australian title, McKay said Postecoglou was a good people person - a trait which held him in good stead to steer the Socceroos at the World Cup in Brazil next year.
"He is a great man manager first and foremost and tactically aware," the Brisbane midfielder said.
"I think he will bring that spirit back to the side and you can see in the way that his teams have played in the past that they play attacking football and fans will hopefully enjoy the way we play."
Franjic, who played right back for the Roar under Postecoglou but has cemented a midfield berth this season, said he hoped to form part of a successful back four under Postecoglou.
"I think we have just got to work on our defensive shape and our attacking shape, attack is the best form of defence and I know Ange likes to attack so hopefully we can bring that philosophy here," Franjic said.
McKay is looking to add to his 43 caps for the Socceroos, while Franjic has had five appearances in the green and gold.
news_articleMon, 11 Nov 2013 23:49:41 +0000Anonymous83092 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com